Game of Haras for Hearyth

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Shivratri (Hearth) is still some days away; time passé preparation for the festivity needs to be honed up now. Presenting the most beautiful childhood game “Hara” (Kodia)

Most of us may be comfortably remembering the rules for playing (SOP) for this indoor game, but re- narrating the same is my personal fun.

PLAYED BY: 2 OR MORE (age group 4 Years or more)

SOP:
Usually this game is played as part of celebrations of ‘Hearth’. Players gather at a common place (Indoor), sit of a level floor mostly in a circular fashion. Each player brings with him or her several Chaaks of Haras (4 PCS = 1 CHAAK).

OBJECTIVE: An interesting and skillful game
All the players compete individually in an attempt to win others Haras without losing his or her own. The Game being random in nature, luck plays a crucial role, in a winner’s performance. The skill of laying the Hara’s on the floor is imperative and players are required to vary the speed and the intensity of the throw of the haras depending upon the size and quantity of the haras in his/her hand. Laying a “Quinn” requires extensive practice sessions.

TOSS or Bazz to decide who gets to play first.

To decide the first player (or the First mover advantage) every participant is required to contribute 1 hara, that would be collected and tossed up as a bunch by any willing player. Hara’s that face upwards (post landing on ground) are shortlisted. With multiple eliminations (quinn’s occurrences) the first player is determined. To Gain an edge player often seeks to offer customized botul-hara (tossing hara is known as “Botul” in local dialect)
Players usually treasure these customized pieces (royally preserved) for future use. Young participants sometimes are helped by guardians for safe custody of these precious entities.

Some of the most sought after botul’s are as below. (Let us recollect these):

1. Khor 
2. Poshnoor
3. Krand
4. Monjutu

RESULTS ARE INTERPRETED AS BELOW

1) 1 HARA (only), facing Upward – called as “QUIN” is like hitting a Jackpot – You WIN ALL

2) All expect 1 HARA facing Upwards – also a “QUIN” and is another form of jackpot – You WIN ALL

3) 2,4,6, 8,10… HARAs facing Upward-NO WIN, right to roll goes to person sitting next in clockwise.

4) 5,7,9,11…. HARAs facing Upwards – YOU WIN but only those pieces that face upwards and right to roll goes to person sitting next in clockwise 

5) 3 HARAs facing Upwards – a case called Ali Baba’s ‘TUL-TREY‘, NO WIN + EMBARRASSMENT

Game rolls on…with fresh contributions… (before that even last 2 HARAS have to be won)

* The player has a choice to replace any of the hara with an alternate one (smaller or bigger size) from one’s own stock, usually this options is resorted to enhance the prospect of a “Quinn”

AVAILABILITY OF HARAS FOR SHIVRATRI :
Hara’s are easily available near many temple premises, and all Teerath Ssthanas. Mumbaikar’s living close to Juhu beach can choose to help the needy friends Alternatively re united friends having access to jyotirling sites can also help in procurement.